Barnett Shoals Elementary School third-grade teacher and CCSD 2025-26 Teacher of the Year Timothy Pritchett has been named one of 10 finalists for the 2026-27 Georgia Teacher of the Year award by the Georgia Department of Education.

State School Superintendent Richard Woods surprised Mr. Pritchett with the announcement in his class on Thursday, March 19, part of a statewide tour this month to congratulate each of the 10 finalists. Mr. Pritchett, who would be the first Clarke County teacher to win the award in its more than 50-year history, will be honored with the other finalists at a reception in May, where the statewide winner will be announced.

Mr. Pritchett has eight years of certified classroom teaching experience and has been with CCSD since 2019 and Barnett Shoals for the past five years. During his time at Barnett Shoals, he launched free tutoring initiatives — Lunch Learners and After-School Achievers — to provide targeted academic support, and he has helped lead schoolwide PBIS and Leader in Me efforts that strengthened both student achievement and school culture.

Mr. Pritchett earned a bachelor's degree in mass communication from Benedict College, a Master of Arts in Teaching in Early Childhood Education, and a Master of Education in Educational Administration and Policy from the University of Georgia. He is currently pursuing a specialist degree in Educational Psychology (Gifted & Creative Education).